Hotels near Central Park in New York - Best deals & budget rates!

This world-famous park covers a large area in Manhattan, Central Park is more than 150 years old; it was developed from 843 acres (341 hectares) of swampy, muddy terrain. This was the first public park in the United States and it includes 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns and 150 acres of water. The park was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Since 1908, there have been more than 200 movies filmed with scenes from or in Central Park. The first movie to ever feature Central Park was Romeo and Juliet, released in 1908.
More than 25 million visitors enjoy Central Park every year. Some visit the park to watch the 275 migratory birds that can be seen at various times of the year. Others like to wander the 58 miles of pedestrian paths or relax on one of the 6,000 benches. Put these benches end to end and they would stretch for seven miles. Still others like to take their children to one or more of the 21 playgrounds in the park.

Central Park has seven ornamental fountains. Perambulating the park you can take in Angel of the Waters at Bethesda Terrace, Burnett Fountain at Conservatory Garden's English garden to the south, Conservatory Garden's Italian garden in the center, Untermyer Fountain at Conservatory Garden's French garden to the north, Cherry Hill, Sophie Loeb Fountain, and Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Plaza. There are also 125 drinking fountains in the park.